AQA
A-level
HISTORY
7042/2T
Component 2T The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and
the
Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
Version: 1.0 Final
IB/M/Jun23/E7
... [Show More] 7042/2T
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2T The Crisis of Communism: the USSR and the
Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
Friday 9 June 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/2T.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2T
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From the memoirs of Bolshakov, published in Pravda, February 1989. Bolshakov was an
intelligence officer in the Soviet Embassy in Havana at the time of the 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis.
The events of October 1962 were the first and, fortunately, only nuclear crisis in our
history, a moment of fear and illumination. Nikita Khrushchev, John Kennedy,
Fidel Castro and the whole of mankind felt that for the first time they were in the same
boat at the epicentre of a nuclear abyss. Some thought that the causes of the crisis were
military. By deploying missiles in Cuba the USSR was, they reckon, trying to correct the
imbalance in the number of nuclear warheads with the USA, which, so they claimed, was
something like 15:1 or 17:1 in the USA’s favour at that time. Others put forward political
reasons: the USA’s intention to destroy the Republic of Cuba, and the USSR’s desire to
consolidate the position of the socialist camp on the American continent. I myself think
that the Cuban crisis was primarily a failure of trust – between states and leaders.
5
10
Source B
From a confidential letter written by Nikita Khrushchev to US President JF Kennedy,
30 October 1962.
We have received from you a promise that you will not invade Cuba and will not allow
others to do so. We, on this condition, will remove from Cuba the weapons that you call
aggressive. On the basis of this compromise and mutual concessions, the problem
seems to have been resolved. We realised the seriousness of the issue, looked beyond
self-interest and have achieved mutual satisfaction. No doubt, there will be those that will
be displeased, who will say harsh and unfair things about our agreement. No doubt, they
will look closely at the detail to try to find out whether the USSR gave greater
concessions to the USA or vice versa. Yet, I would say that we both gave way to reason
and found a sensible resolution, which dealt with the problem and will ensure peace for
all, including those who will try to find fault and be critical.
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10
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2T Turn over ►
Source C
From comments made by Fidel Castro during talks with Mikoyan, the Soviet Deputy
Prime Minister, 3 November 1962.
The Soviet Union’s concessions to the USA have had a depressing effect.
Psychologically our people were not ready for it. There was a feeling of deep
disappointment, bitterness and pain. It was as though we were deprived not only of
missiles but of the very symbol of solidarity. Our people thought that the report that the
missile installations were being dismantled and returned to the Soviet Union was a
barefaced lie. Why was the decision taken without consulting us? Why are they taking
the missiles away? Are they going to take all missiles back? These are the questions
which have been concerning our people. In recent days these feelings of bitterness and
pain have spread across the country. It has been one thing after another.
On 27 October came the proposal to remove missiles from Cuba on condition that the
Turkish bases were shut down. On 28 October came the order for dismantling and
agreement to inspection. Nobody could believe it and everybody thought it was a pack of
lies.
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10
0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the USSR’s
involvement in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
[30 marks]
Turn over for Section B
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Section B
Answer two questions.
0 2 ‘Western influence was the most significant challenge to Soviet control of the satellite
states in the years 1968 to 1980.’
Assess the validity of this view.
[25 marks]
0 3 ‘Opposition to the Communist regime in Hungary, in the years 1980 to 1989, was
mainly the result of economic difficulties.’ [Show Less]